OK, so Joe’s special chocolate treat for my birthday was a trip to one of those secret beauties our Arizona is so rich with, aren’t we lucky?
We found this one in The March 2008 Issue of Arizona Highways. We bought the magazine to find wildflowers and found a chocolate treasure instead!
Chocolate Falls Arizona is truly an amazing place, there are no signs to it, you get there on a dirt road in the middle of the desert (the scenery looks like the painted desert) and suddenly you get to the river and out of nowhere you find this wonder, it truly looks like a giant chocolate magic! The falls are taller than the Niagara Falls but not many people know about them. They are dry most of the year but during March and April when the snow melt in the White Mountains of Arizona, the wonder is on, so beautiful!
Joseph and I were so excited, we took more than 400 photos! We used our newish camera Nikon D40x and I think it is the first time we really see the benefits of this amazing camera.
Here are some of the photos:
Joe convinced me to go down to the river bank with him, I was a bit reluctant as I have an aversion to heights and cliffs but at the end it was not hard at all.
I am really glad I let him convince me to do it:
And to end this wonderful day properly, Joe found some golden treat just for me, I think he loves me, I am so lucky!
How to get to the Grand Falls from Flagstaff: Take I-40 east towards Albuquerque to exit 207, turn north and go on a small road passing Cosnino until you get to a T, turn right east on Camp Townsend Winona Road, turn left unto Leupp Rd towards Darling, this road will turn into road 15, keep your eye open for a dirt road to the left marked road 70 (it is about 13 or 14 miles from the turn to Leupp Rd, just after you enter the Navajo Nation Reservation). Go on the dirt road until it reaches the Little Colorado River, just before you get to the river there is a turn to the left that will take you closer to the falls but you can get to them from the river too. Road 70 is quite an easy dirt road, we made it with a Honda Accord without any problem.
wow! what an amazing gift . . .looks like you took full advantage of a beautiful day. happy BD!
I never would have guessed! What a wonderful spot…never heard of it. Love the sunset, too. The West is the best place for beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Wow! That’s beautiful! And are you wearing pink pants???
This place is amazing! I visited the Chocolate Falls a few years back, once when it was dry and the other when the water was flowing and both times it is absolutely amazing! If you get the chance, you should most definitely visit this place! Its gorgeous!
The most amazing thing about Grand falls is upstream as it begins to descend. the river’s mud forms pleated dams all the way across the river making for small, pleated waterfalls till it reaches the bigger drops. Never seen another fall form this way and the photos don’t show it.
Rachel, please send me an email so I can discuss the photos with you via email.
Dave
That is not even a very good flow. Some years the snow fall is much greater, and a warm spring rain storm will easily turn the whole thing into a waterfall all the way across. Those wet years like the one I first saw the falls on the plateau was flooding above the falls, and the National Guard was flying in animal feed, and food, and clean water. I would love to see the falls like that again, but would not wish the flooding on anyone. You can come in from I-40, or off the highway to the Grand Canyon/Page/Kayenta north of Flagstaff, but you have more miles of dirt road. The sound is incredible, but I have never seen it like it was after the floods. It was beyond loud that day.
I looked back at some film pictures and the bad floods on the Navajo Reservation were in the early 90s late 80s. I am bad about getting film developed. I do remember the flooding was wide spread that year. I was stuck in the Agua Fria River twice in one trip. The low water bridges had washed between 500 and 800 yards down stream. I had no problems getting to Grand Falls though. When it is not flowing it is hard to believe it could ever be that huge. The last trip was October 2 years ago. It was raining hard on the plateau, and the bridge over the Little Colorado was enough to help me decide to take the detour. We had a 1999 Blazer with a locking rear end, and a 1971 Blazer with a locking rear, winch, and all 3/4 ton running gear. No one got stuck though,.
Hi, Rachel. I previously wrote you about including the photos on my Color Country web site, but did not. However, since I mention “Chocolate Falls” I thought I should link it to this page on your site. If you wish me to pull the link, I will do so.
Dave
Does anyone know where the river originates? We were there on March 28, 2010. It seems to flow in the wrong direction, seeing Flagstaff is to the West.
Susan,
Take a look on the map – this is the LITTLE Colorado River, which is flowing towards the Colorado River, which it meets up with in the Grand Canyon. This river originates in eastern Arizona, and is generally flowing from southest to northwest.
My Mother is 87 years old and can only travel in a wheelchair. How far of a hike is it from where you park? Is the path wheelchair capable?
Many Many Thanks!!
Joanne
HAPPY EASTER :)
I plan to be in Flagstaff the last week of May and would love to see the site (beautiful)! Will the falls be active at that time?
Thanks for the info…..
We wanted to go on a day trip from Phoenix to Grand Falls. Is a permit required (only can be obtained in Cameron) just to hike to the bottom of the falls like Rachel did?
No permit is necessary Nancy. The hike down is relatively easy
with only one step down which is maybe 4 feet. Not a major problem. I was there yesterday and had a great time. I’ll be posting pictures on my website today if you are interested.
AMAZING. I cant believe I have never heard of this. Saw a pic in a magazine and googled it. Thanx for the directions. Will be going there for sure this coming spring!
hey joe i was looking to get a trip planned up there for my outing club at ASU. The scenery looks beautiful, are there any good hiking trails? and if so how/where do you access them?
thanks
Oh my gosh, I actually thought that it was a dessert/photoshopped! That is AMAZING. On the way to Albuquerque too. If I’d only have known back then! But wow. Just wow.
I am leaving on a jet plane in a week, and I hope the falls are flowing better than ever with all the snow the region has had this winter,, cross you fingers for me,,,,,,,,, the wild traveler!!!!! join me in some adventures out west if you dare!!!!!!!!!
Dave,
What is the URL to your website? I Googled it and did not see what I was looking for. Perhaps I am expecting something different. Thanks.
We will be passing through next week and would love to check out the falls. How necessary is a 4×4 and are dogs allowed on the trail?
Hi. I live in North Phoenix and I was wondering what is the best way to get to that beautiful set of waterfalls and what is the best time of year to go.
If you could let me know I would greatly appriciate it.
Adrianne
How to get to the Grand Falls from Flagstaff: Take I-40 east towards Albuquerque to exit 207, turn north and go on a small road passing Cosnino until you get to a T, turn right east on Camp Townsend Winona Road, turn left unto Leupp Rd towards Darling, this road will turn into road 15, keep your eye open for a dirt road to the left marked road 70 (it is about 13 or 14 miles from the turn to Leupp Rd, just after you enter the Navajo Nation Reservation). Go on the dirt road until it reaches the Little Colorado River, just before you get to the river there is a turn to the left that will take you closer to the falls but you can get to them from the river too. Road 70 is quite an easy dirt road, we made it with a Honda Accord without any problem.
Spring when the snow melts
How do we find out if the falls are flowing. We r going up there on may 29. Thank you.
Went up to Grand Falls yesterday (3/29/15) and had an amazing time there. Went with family and friends. It wasn’t the easiest place to find initially. I mistakingly used my Apple Map App. It took me to Grand Falls Bible Church lol. I had heard route 70 was the way to get to it and saw a sign (luckily) that directed us to SR70. Once we finally found the Falls…wow. Getting back to Leupp Rd. was easier because of that SR70. Not a bad drive. The Falls were worth the initial rugged drive that’s for sure.